LARE Exam Preparation and Study-Guide: Iowa Landscape Architect License Requirements

Iowa Landscape Architect License Requirements

How To Get Your Initial Landscape Architect License in Iowa

Iowa is a lush prairie state in the middle of America’s corn belt. Landscape architects help protect the natural environment while making spaces for people in urban areas. As a licensed landscape architect, you can help make Iowa a better place.

Basic Requirements

Before you can qualify for a landscape architect license in Iowa, you need to satisfy a few basic requirements.

Education

There are several ways you can meet Iowa’s education requirement. The quality of your degree determines how much work experience you need to acquire before you can apply for licensure.

Accredited Undergraduate Degree in Landscape Architecture: If you have a LAAB-accredited undergraduate degree (either four or five years) you only need to have three years of work experience in landscape architecture.

Non-Accredited Undergraduate Degree in Landscape Architecture: If you have an undergraduate degree in landscape architecture from an unaccredited university program, you can still qualify for a landscape architect license in Iowa. However, you will need to get four years of practical landscape architectural work experience before you can apply for a license in Iowa.

Master’s Degree in Landscape Architecture: If you found landscape architecture later in life and went back to grad school for a first professional degree in landscape architecture, you can still qualify for licensure. Your master’s degree counts as one year of experience and your undergrad degree (in a subject other than landscape architecture) is worth two years of experience. In order to qualify for licensure, you will need four years of work experience.

What if you don’t have a college degree but have lots of work experience in the profession of landscape architecture? You can substitute a “minimum of ten years of practical experience in landscape architectural work which in the opinion of the board is of satisfactory character to properly prepare the applicant for the examination”.

Work Experience

Work experience is necessary before you can apply for a license in landscape architecture. The Iowa board prefers diversified landscape architecture work experience conducted under the the direct supervision of a licensed landscape architect. The amount of work experience that you need to acquire before applying for licensure is determined by the amount and quality of education you have. See the above discussion for more information.

CLARB Council Record Registration

Before you can apply for a landscape architect license in Iowa, you will have to establish a Council of Landscape Architect Registration Board (CLARB) Council Record. The Council Record establishes your education and work experience. After CLARB evaluates your record, they will notify you when you are eligible to take the multiple-choice sections of the LARE. Register for Sections A, B, and D through CLARB’s website. You cannot register for Sections C and E through CLARB’s website. These sections are only available to you after you apply for licensure through examination through the Iowa state board.

Step-by-Step Guide

Follow these steps on your path towards becoming a licensed landscape architect:

Graduate from college with a degree in landscape architecture or complete 10 years of acceptable work experience in landscape architecture.
Gain work experience in landscape architecture by working under the supervision of a licensed landscape architect. The amount of experience you need before you can apply for licensure depends on the your educational background. Please refer to the discussion on education above for more information.
Create a Council Record at www.clarb.org. Complete the record with all necessary information. Register for the multiple-choice sections of the LARE when you receive a statement of eligibility from CLARB.
Register for Sections A, B, and D of the LARE through CLARB’s website.
Prepare for the LARE. It may come as a surprise to you that many landscape architect candidates fail one or more section of the LARE. You can increase your chances of success through thorough preparation. Read the technical landscape architecture books recommended by CLARB, join a LARE Google group, assess your level of preparedness by taking practice exams, or attend a LARE workshop. The more you know, the better you will do. Learn what you can from mentors who have been there and got their license.
Take and pass the multiple-choice sections of the LARE.
Notify CLARB to transfer your CLARB Council Record to the Iowa state board.
Apply for a landscape architect license by examination with the Iowa board. This is when you apply to take the graphic sections of the LARE since they are administered by the board.
Pass Sections C and E of the LARE.
Wait for your license to arrive in the mail and celebrate. You are now licensed to practice landscape architecture in the state of Iowa.
Get a stamp so you can seal and sign drawings.
Maintain you license. Iowa has a continuing education requirement. Make sure you keep your license up-to-date by fulfilling all the rule necessary to keep your license current.

Final Thoughts

While the road towards licensure can seem long and complicated, don’t give up hope. Take it one day at a time. Many have been where you are now and have achieved the same goal you are working for. You can do it. Don’t get discouraged at little setbacks. Keep working towards your goal and you will eventually become a licensed landscape architect.

For More Information

For more information on the licensure process in Iowa and for application information, contact the Iowa Professional Licensing Bureau at http://www.state.ia.us/government/com/prof/landscape/home.html. Their website is a little easier to navigate than most other government licensing websites. Also, check out the American Society of Landscape Archtiects’ website at www.asla.org for information on licensure and for preparing for the LARE. If you are not a member of ASLA, consider joining. Membership in ASLA is an investment in your professional development.

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